Workshop 1: Digital Transformation of the Water Sector and Role of Digital Twins

The pace of digital transformation has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic which drove the need for working remotely. While digitalisation has improved operations, maintenance and customer service, concerns and issues remain in the implementation of digital solutions in the water sector. In the first part of the workshop, utilities shared needs and challenges of the water sector today as they embark on their digital transformation journey. A panel of utilities, consultants and solution providers then discussed solutions to overcoming some of the challenges and what to expect in the road ahead. The second part of the workshop focused on digital twins and their applications in different parts of the urban water cycle, from water treatment, distribution, used water collection, treatment, recycling and receiving waters. The workshop ended with a panel discussion on challenges and benefits of an integrated digital twin solution across the entire water loop.

Presentations:

Presentations on Overview of Digital Transformation in the Water Sector

1. Overview of digital transformation in water collection, treatment, and distribution network
   Mr. Miguel Ángel Ayllón Mesa, Head of Drinking Water, Global Omnium, Spain

2. Overview of digital transformation in used water collection, treatment, and reuse
   Mr. Thomas Kuczynski, VP of Information Technology, DC Water, US (remote participant)

Presentations on Challenges of Digital Transformation in the Water Sector

1. Human resistance to change
   Ms. Jennifer Rebeiro, CIO, Greater Western Water, Australia

2. Solutions and systems in silos
   Mr. Min Zhong, Asset Information Management Lead, NEOM, Saudi Arabia

3. Cybersecurity
   Ms. Barbara Wilson, Vice President of Technology Programs, Ampcus Inc., US (remote participant)

Presentations on Digital Twins

1. Overview of SWAN's digital twin architecture
   Ms. Gigi Karmous-Edwards, Founder & Co-chair of SWAN Digital Twin H2O Work Group, US

2. Case study of digital twin in water collection, treatment, and distribution network
   Dr. Ting Lu, Business Practice Leader for Digital Solutions, Clean Water Services, US (remote participant)

3. Case study of digital twin in used water collection, treatment, and reuse
   Dr. Tao Guihe, Principal Specialist (Water Reclamation), PUB, Singapore